Sense and Sensibility 1971
I didn’t know about the existence of this adaptation until someone mentioned it in passing at one of our meetings. Of course I decided I must see it.
This is very much ‘old school’ BBC adaptation – filmed on a sound stage with theater actors who feel that they have to act to the back row (or maybe that was how they were directed?). Anyway, if you didn’t like this version of Emma or this Mansfield Park then I suspect you won’t like this version of Sense and Sensibility.
What I don’t understand with adaptations is why the screen writer changes the dialogue? This one is quite close to the novel action wise, but rarely uses Austen’s dialogue (although I am pretty sure Elinor wouldn’t visit Edward at his lodgings!).
The best part of this adaptation was Joanna David as Elinor (she was Mrs Gardiner in the 1995 Pride and Prejudice) and Patricia Routledge (Mrs Bucket – in Keeping Up Appearances) as Mrs Jennings.
The hair styles are hilarious (or horrendous) depending on your sensibilities …
Elinor (in the foreground), Marianne and Mrs Dashwood
Edward Ferras
Willoughby
Colonel Brandon
Mrs Jennings (on the right) and Mrs Dashwood
I think this one is really only for die-hard Jane Austen fans or people interested in film history.